Intraocular lens

Abstract

A lens for an eye including an optic element and a plurality of supports connected to the optic element, wherein the lens may be implanted in the eye. The plurality of supports may be symmetrical and each may include an aperture. A related method is also provided.

1 . A lens for an eye, comprising: 
 an optic element; and    a plurality of symmetrical supports connected to the optic element, wherein the lens may be implanted in the eye.    
   
   
       2 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of symmetrical supports are flexible.  
   
   
       3 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of symmetrical supports comprise two supports positioned on opposite sides of the optic element.  
   
   
       4 . The lens of  claim 3 , wherein the optic element is formed from first and second curved surfaces on opposite sides of a body.  
   
   
       5 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the optic element comprises first and second curved surfaces.  
   
   
       6 . The lens of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of symmetrical supports each include a first leg and a second leg extending away from a body.  
   
   
       7 . The lens of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second legs diverge from a center line of the body.  
   
   
       8 . A lens for an eye, comprising: 
 a body having a curved optic element; and    a first and second support connected to the optic element, each support has a plurality of leg portions and the first support includes a first aperture, whereby the lens may be implanted in the eye.    
   
   
       9 . The lens of  claim 8 , wherein the optic element comprises first and second curved surfaces formed on opposite sides of the body.  
   
   
       10 . The lens of  claim 8 , wherein the optic element is positioned substantially in the center of the body.  
   
   
       11 . The lens of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second supports are symmetrical.  
   
   
       12 . The lens of  claim 11 , wherein the second support includes an aperture and the first and second supports may bend in a direction away from a plane defined by the body.  
   
   
       13 . The lens of  claim 8 , wherein each of the leg portions terminates in a foot portion.  
   
   
       14 . The lens of  claim 13 , wherein a first member connects the foot portions of the first support and a second member connects the foot portions of the second support.  
   
   
       15 . The lens of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second members are curved and the legs of the first support and first member define the first aperture, and the legs of the second support and second member define a second aperture.  
   
   
       16 . The lens of  claim 15 , wherein the apertures are substantially triangular.  
   
   
       17 . A lens for an eye, comprising: 
 a body having a curved optic element; and    first and second symmetrical supports connected to the body, each support including an aperture and each support terminating in a curved member, wherein the lens may be implanted in the eye.    
   
   
       18 . The lens of  claim 17 , wherein the body has both horizontal and vertical symmetry.  
   
   
       19 . The lens of  claim 17 , wherein each support includes at least one foot portion that extends beyond a radius of the optic element.  
   
   
       20 . The lens of  claim 18 , wherein each support includes an aperture.  
   
   
       21 . A lens for an eye, comprising: 
 a body having first and second curved optic elements, the optic elements are positioned on opposite sides of the body;    first and second symmetrical supports connected to the body, each support including a plurality of legs, each of the legs curving away from a center line of the body;    a foot portion positioned at the end of each leg;    a first member residing between and connecting each of the foot portions of the first support;    a second member residing between and connecting each of the foot portions of the second support;    wherein each of the first and second symmetrical supports includes an aperture and the lens may be implanted in the eye.    
   
   
       22 . The lens of  claim 21 , wherein each the foot portions extends beyond a radius of the optic elements.  
   
   
       23 . The lens of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second symmetrical supports are flexible, the first and second members are curved, and the apertures are substantially triangular.  
   
   
       24 . A method of implanting a lens inside an eye, comprising: 
 making an incision in a cornea or sclera of the eye;    inserting the lens into a capsular bag of the eye, wherein the lens includes an optic element and a plurality of symmetrical supports carried by the lens.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the inserting step comprises rolling the lens and placing it into an injector.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the inserting step comprises folding the lens and placing it into an injector.